Hi, my name is Louise! I’m the Widening Participation Officer here at York St John University. I first moved to York five years ago as a student myself. I moved to a new city, only knowing one person – which was quite scary but also very exciting.
Luckily, the university created Facebook groups so you could virtually get to know your flat mates before you arrived. This was a massive help, and eased my nerves slightly.
On arrival day, I had my Dad’s car packed to the roof, and we had to call into the main campus to pick up my keys. Once we’d done that, we headed straight off to my new home for the next year. There were ambassadors there to help me with my things, and to chat to me about the events coming up that night. The other people on my floor were really friendly and we spent the first day comparing rooms and setting up those homely touches.
When my parents left, it suddenly hit me that I was alone, and this was it, this was university.I wasted no time making the only meal I knew how to cook – pasta, then me and my new flat mates headed back over to campus to take part in the activities set up by the Students’ Union to help you get settled in and meet new people. In my first week this involved fancy dress nights, film nights, quiz nights, a freshers fair and loads of activities during the day.
I loved my university experience – so much so I’m still here now working for the uni! But here are my top tips for moving in!
– TOP TIPS FOR MOVING IN WEEK –
- Bring a door stop, having an open door means people may just drop in – this makes it easier to make friends along the way
- Bring a few things to remind you of home – whether its photos, fairy lights, candles that smell like home, your favourite blanket or dressing gown – they’ll cheer you up when you get the blues
- Don’t buy everything before you arrive – buy what you will personally need for your room, then wait until everyone has moved in to buy kitchen/shared items. Otherwise, you’ll end up with 6 toasters, 6 kettles etc. Plus, a flat trip to B&M is a brilliant bonding experience – and a fab way to fill up your cupboards.
- Clothes horses/drying racks are life savers – and will save you money on the tumble dryers. Get a good one – or again, wait and go halves with someone else from your flat
- Bring some form of food with you on your first day to offer to your flatmates – the stomach is the way to the heart (in most cases)
- Look after yourself – take care of your space – make sure you do your dishes and keep your space clean. You can never have too many packets of anti-bac wipes – they clean up everything!
- Stock up on medicines you may need such as paracetemol, hayfever medicine or throat lozenges.
- Don’t underestimate fresh air – open those windows, go for a walk, wander around the city with your new flatmates. Getting out and being active will do wonders for your mental wellbeing!
Thats it! Those are my top tips – university was the best years of my life, and I often wish I could go back and do it all over again. Make the most of every opportunity, be true to yourself, work hard and enjoy it! You can’t go far wrong if you do that!
Find out more about our accommodation here: https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/study/accommodation/
Lou – Widening Participation Officer